Principal, Business Development and Commercialization, UHN Research Institute

Union: Non-Union
Number of vacancies:  1
New or Replacement Position: Replacement
Site: MaRS
Department: Commercialization
Reports to:  Head, Business Development and Commercialization UHN Research Institute
Salary Range:  $115,730 to $165,730 annually
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Shifts: Monday to Friday
Status: Permanent Full-Time
Closing Date: March 27, 2026

Position Summary:

The UHN Research Institute is internationally recognized for its multidisciplinary biomedical research which encompasses activity across the UHN sites (other than Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) and drives the convergence of care, research, and education across a broad scope of disease fields and disciplines; as such it is a cornerstone of UHN’s innovation ecosystem. These areas include Krembil Brain Institute, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, KITE Research Institute, McEwen Stem Cell Institute, Ajmera Transplant Centre, and The Institute for Education Research, as well as research in respiratory health, metabolism and organ function, and health systems and policy.  UHNRI’s commercialization successes include the Medly cardiac digital health platform and EVLP lung transplant system among others, which have reshaped patient care and global standards in their respective fields. 

The role of Principal, Business Development and Commercialization UHN Research Institute is a key position within our office. It requires a dynamic, creative, business development professional with academic credentials, skills in relationship management and contract negotiation, and experience in fields related to the broad discovery areas of UHNRI. 

The Principal will develop and implement strategies to maximize the commercial success of the research being conducted within their portfolio at UHN Research Institute and will foster and leverage internal and external relationships to facilitate the identification, development, commercialization, and transfer to practical use of institute- or program-specific inventions, assets and technologies. 

Specifically, and in collaboration with the Head of Business Development & Commercialization for UHNRI, as well as Directors and Program researchers of the relevant sub-institute, the Principal will maintain an overview and pipeline of the various discoveries, research activities, and programs within his or her assigned portfolio. He or she will take the lead in all aspects of revenue generation including evaluation, protection, marketing, licensing, and supporting new company creation. Specifically, he or she will assess the market potential of specific inventions, develop assets/IP and marketing strategies for each, engage in discussions with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, then negotiate research agreements and term-sheets with external parties. He or she will also manage alliances with strategic partners. In addition, and in collaboration with our Ventures team, the Principal will work to help source seed and venture funding, from initial contact with academic inventors through to successful asset commercialization. 

Duties:

• Proactively engage the sub-institute and Clinical Directors, clinicians, and researchers within the assigned portfolio to deeply understand faculty and programmatic research interests and facilitate commercialization activities including identifying research programs or assets with commercial potential, preparing IP disclosures, developing commercialization strategies and marketing materials, and transacting corporate contracts.  
•  Drive business development and deal flow activities in a team environment to achieve commercialization objectives.  
• Provide support and lead opportunities for UHN’s Commercialization funds and/or external ecosystem funding opportunities.  
• Proactively engage the sub-institute and Clinical Directors, clinicians, and researchers within the assigned portfolio to deeply understand faculty and programmatic research interests and facilitate commercialization activities including identifying research programs or assets with commercial potential, preparing IP disclosures, developing commercialization strategies and marketing materials, and transacting corporate contracts.  
•  Drive business development and deal flow activities in a team environment to achieve commercialization objectives.  
• Provide support and lead opportunities for UHN’s Commercialization funds and/or external ecosystem funding opportunities.  
• In alignment with the Head, Business Development & Commercialization UHN Research Institute, take ownership of Commercialization at UHN’s relationship with leadership within your assigned portfolio,  including the negotiation of research, service, and other research-related contracts (i.e., material/data/equipment transfer agreements, confidentiality agreements, etc.), as well as provide support for start-up and licensing agreements. In this capacity, he or she will work closely with Commercialization at UHN’s Licensing and Commercialization, IP Management, Marketing, and Operations teams, as well as Research Legal and the UHN Foundation.